Glossary · Packaging and intralogistics
Charging station (mobile robots)
Also known as: AGV charging station, Docking station
German: Ladestation
In intralogistics, a charging station for mobile robots is a fixed installation where automated guided vehicles (AGVs) or autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) recharge their batteries automatically, through contacts or inductive transfer.
- Intralogistics
In one sentence
A charging station lets AGVs and mobile robots recharge their batteries automatically through floor or wall contacts or inductive transfer.
Example
When its battery drops below 30 percent, the AMR finishes its mission and docks at the nearest free charging station.
How it applies
- Engineering: The number and position of charging stations determine fleet availability. Opportunity charging during short idle times keeps vehicles in service without long charging breaks.
- Operation: The Fleet management system decides when a vehicle charges, balancing battery level against open transport orders.
- Safety: Charging stations involve electrical hazards, and some battery types require ventilation or fire protection measures. Exposed contacts should only be energized when a vehicle is docked. Driverless industrial trucks are covered by ISO 3691-4, which the vehicle manufacturer applies together with the risk assessment of the application.
- Documentation: Installation instructions should cover floor, power supply and clearances; operating instructions should cover manual charging, faults and the battery manufacturer's safety information.
Charging station vs. battery swap station
A charging station recharges the battery in the vehicle; a battery swap station replaces the battery, which avoids charging downtime but adds handling equipment.